In January, the primary deficit came out at 548.0 million pesos, 91 percent narrower than the same month a year earlier.

Argentina recorded a primary fiscal deficit of 3.8 percent in 2014, according to the new center-right government of President Mauricio Macri. ($1 = 13.10 pesos on Dec. 31) (Reporting by Hugh Bronstein and Richard Lough)